Chapter 49

"WHAT do you want to talk about?" Renal’s serious face appeared on Ernaline as she sat in the empty chair in front of the man.

They are currently at a coffee shop near CDC Entertainment. Ernaline can’t stay quiet long so she called Renal to talk to him.

"I will straight to the point Renal, how did my songs end up in your band?"

Renal’s forehead pucker because of what Ernaline said as if he could not believe the accusations thrown at him.

"Hold it right there Ashi, are you accusing me?"

"I'm not blaming you Renal, I'm asking you." Ernaline clenches her fist in restraint of the anger that was building up in her will.

"That is the original composition of our songwriter Ashi, how did that song come to you? You know the two of us are in the same field but I think you went too far and you are blaming my band as well?" he answered.

Ernaline look t her palm under the table and didn't say a word. "If that's the only reason for you to send me here, I'm leaving. I have some work to do for our upcoming concert. I'll give you a VVIP ticket if you want to together with your band,"

"Tss! Forget it asshole we don't need your trash." Renal and Ernaline turn their gaze at the person who had just arrived. The girl was surprised to see her whole band with Saviel standing just behind Perth where she was talking to Renal.

Their faces were serious as they looked at Renal. Ernaline was on her own because they didn't know that she and Renal would meet, how did they follow her?

"What's up cuz? Long time no see," Renal greeted Perth with a smile but the man just smirked looking seriously at the cousin.

"I'm not happy to see your fuck face Ocampo. Let's go, Ashleigh." Ernaline did not follow what Perth said. She is afraid of it because of the aura she feels in the man's body.

"Ernaline Ashleigh Montenegro!" Ernaline was startled when Perth shouted at her. The other customers who were here looked at them but did not interfere. Ernaline quickly grabbed her bag that was on the table before approaching Perth. He angrily grabbed her hand and pulled Ernaline away from Renal.

Even before they could leave, Renal shouted, which caused Ernaline's companion's eyes to glow with anger. "Enjoy your day being in a spotlight cousin, together with your band."

Ernaline just bent over her own hands while rubbing her nails. She was nervous about the silence of those guys with her in their studio. They have returned to the CDC, but not a single one has spoken.

It's her fault why friends are like this. Ernaline felt pain in her heart because of what was happening.

"What the hell do you think you're doing Montenegro? You talk to him for what? We're already in doubt why did you even talk to that shit head?" Perth's said with a disgusted tone in his voice to his girlfriend.

Ernaline was startled in her seat when Perth shouted at her. Only now has the man shouted at her in the few months they have been together as lovers. Maybe Perth is mad at her because she made a conversation with Renal.

"Calm down, Dezrail." Saviel consolation to the man.

Perth wiped his palm on his face, out of frustration because of what she had done.

"They will scatter the rumor that your song entrusted to that bastard. Are you thinking, huh?" Ernaline closes her eyes; she just wants to cry but she can't.

"Don't blame her like that Dezrail. You know this kind of thing is important to her. Even I, if my work goes to someone else without permission I will be very angry." Senri said.

"I don't blame her; I'm just asking her, Senri"

"That's enough; we can't solve this if you're all hot-headed."

Ernaline was about to open her mouth to speak when someone interrupted them. Annika was telling them that Calvin called them at the conference room for some serious matter they need to talk about.

"The ratings of our song dropped because of their new song. Even the other artists are thinking about why it turns out like this. Not only did you drop as well as other famous singers they were kicked out to be dethroned as top one. Most of the sponsors have also moved beyond who you should be." Calvin spoke seriously to the whole band.

They just sat quietly at the round table that is the CDC conference room. Calvin called them to discuss this serious matter.

"It's my entire fault," Ernaline said with a low voice.

All their attention went to the girl.

"It's not your fault, Ernaline. Whoever this shitty head stole your work I will lay the punishment for him." Saviel said to Ernaline.

"We can't do anything about it. The damage has been done; all we have to do is to compete with them to retrieve what is yours" Calvin answered.

"How?" Kaizen ask.

"We can set a press conference or showcase for your new song."

"Isn't that hard? Our album is about to launch, isn't it?" Jasper said.

"We can divert their attention to your album. No one knows what are the contents of the album except all of you and the production team," Calvin's promise.

Calvin can’t do anything about it also but to look for a new angle on how to pass this issue.

*****

Ernaline was silent in the chair again as she listened to their discussion. She could think of no way to save the band's name.

Until the end of the conversation, Ernaline still did not speak. How can she face them? Instead of helping to solve the problem, she only makes it worse because of her stupidity to know who did it.

"Don't think too much Ernababe," Saviel approaches her after the conversation earlier. They are currently in the CDC canteen because Perth forbade her to leave the area, saying that she might be able to do something he did not know.

"It's not that we're ignoring your rights, it's just that I want you to go through it calmly," Saviel added.

"How can I do that? My mind can't get over the worst possibilities that the band will face in the next future." Ernaline is in charge of the whole band so she has to solve this problem.

"In our life, the test cannot be eliminated. I know you are just a beginner here but you are facing a lot of problems. All you have to do is take it a step at a time. Take it slowly Ernababe, you have many people around you and you don't have to be alone." Saviel smiled at her.

"And of course, if you prioritize the problem like that, what will be your future with Dezrail, right? Maybe he'll find someone else, you poor thing." Ernaline's hand reached out to Saviel's arm because of her nonsense.

They just both laughed. If this woman hadn't come back, Ernaline might have gone crazy with the problems she was facing.

Ernaline’s world turned upside down when she saw the articles spreading on social media.

"How did it happen--?"

Unbelievable question of the people who witness.

'The famous band has FALLEN'

That’s what the headline says together with their picture. Ernaline's world seemed to collapse in her readings. Those solid Blackhand fans have a lot of hurtful words being said about the band, especially the maiden.

Saviel taps Ernaline’s shoulder to comfort her. But they don’t know what on how to face the public because of this issue.